Heading machine

ABSTRACT

In a heading machine ( 1 ) including a machine frame equipped with a travelling mechanism ( 2 ), a cutting boom ( 3 ) carrying cutting tools ( 5,8,10 ), and a hauling means ( 19 ) extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine beyond the rear end of the machine frame, the cutting tools ( 5,8,10 ) are formed by at least two rotating cutting heads ( 5 ) having axes of rotation ( 6 ) extending in the heading direction or enclosing acute angles with the heading direction, and a unit ( 21 ) capable of being trailed behind the machine frame and having a passage cross-section ( 33 ) for the hauling means ( 19 ) is hingedly connected to the machine frame by the aid of hydraulic piston cylinder units ( 29,30 ), which unit comprises at least one anchor boring and setting device ( 23 ), and at least one supporting device ( 24 ) which is braceable against the roof ( 7 ) and the floor ( 9 ), each on both sides of the hauling means ( 19 ).

The invention relates to a heading machine including a machine frame equipped with a travelling mechanism, a cutting boom carrying cutting tools, and a hauling means extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine beyond the rear end of the machine frame, wherein the cutting tools are formed by at least two rotating cutting heads having axes of rotation extending in the heading direction or enclosing acute angles with the heading direction.

Heading machines with cutting rotors whose axes of rotation extend in the heading direction or enclose acute angles with the heading direction are usually denoted as “Marietta drills”, wherein the cutting unit comprises two or several rotating cutting heads. The two cutting heads define a cutting profile with a maximum profile width, wherein the cutting tools are usually arranged on the cutting heads in a manner that cutting tools of one of the cutting heads engage between cutting tools of the other one of the cutting heads during rotation such that the circular areas of the respective cutting profiles will overlap one another. The common cutting profile of the two or more cutting heads arranged adjacently and, preferably, on the same level will, therefore, as a rule, correspond to the respective number of partially overlapping circular areas, with so-called profile gussets remaining between the individual circular areas in the region of the floor and the roof.

In order to secure an advanced tunnel, anchor boring and setting devices have already become known, which are either arranged on the machine itself or accordingly placed in separate devices in the road so as to be movable separately from the heading machine. In order to secure the roof during the drilling of anchor bores and the setting of anchors, supporting devices which are braceable between the roof and the floor to support the respective region of the roof have become known.

From DE 31 08 877 A1, a heading machine has become known, in which a gantry for the setting of the anchors is arranged above the frame of the heading machine and a support frame capable of being trailed by cables or chains and integrally including an anchor boring and setting device for setting additional anchors is, furthermore, provided at a distance from the heading machine.

From U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,958, a so-called hopper car can be taken, on whose rear end anchor boring and setting devices are positioned in the region of the central conveyor by being coupled to the machine frame by the aid of joints. The two anchor boring and setting devices are protected by a cover device on the side of the roof.

In DE 28 51 443 A1, it is proposed to provide a roof support system with integrated anchor boring and setting units behind a shearing and hauling device. The advance movement of the excavation tool mounted on a bottom plate and of the hauling device is effected via the hydraulic cylinders that are coupled to the braced roof support system. A displacement of the roof support system, or the shearing machine, in that case is only possible by the aid of an advancing mechanism formed by the hydraulic cylinders.

Finally, a heading machine has become known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,390, in which two mutually coupled carrying frames with integrated anchor boring and setting devices are provided laterally of the crawler mechanisms, which anchor boring and setting devices remain braced between the roof and the floor during the cutting process so as to enable the introduction of anchors parallelly with the cutting process.

The arrangement of anchor boring and setting devices constitutes a challenge, in particular, with heading machines of the initially defined kind of the “Marietta drill” type. Heading machines of that type have cutting means equipped with several rotors and additional cutters to cut large-area profiles. On account of its construction width, this mode of construction is only suitable for linear heading, wherein the cutting tools are each retractable to a slight extent in order to enable the displacement of the machine in the road. The arrangement of an anchor boring and setting device laterally on the crawler mechanism in most cases is impossible because of the limited distance to the lateral wall. It is also difficult to integrate the anchor boring and setting device directly in the heading machine in order to enable parallel cutting and anchoring operations.

The present invention, therefore, aims to further develop a heading machine of the initially defined kind to the extent that anchors can be set as closely to the mine face as possible while, at the same time, continuing the cutting process.

To solve this object, the heading machine of the initially defined kind is essentially characterized in that a unit capable of being trailed behind the machine frame and having a passage cross-section for the hauling means is hingedly connected to the machine frame by the aid of hydraulic piston cylinder units, which unit comprises at least one anchor boring and setting device, and at least one supporting device which is braceable against the roof and the floor, each on both sides of the hauling means. The arrangement of the anchor boring and setting device on a trailable unit along with supporting devices allows for the setting of anchors in a region immediately behind the heading machine, wherein, due to the fact that the hinge connection of the trailable unit with the machine frame is realized by the aid of hydraulic piston cylinder units, the distance between the trailable unit and the heading machine is variable such that heading can be continued while setting anchors by the aid of the anchor boring and setting device. Since the trailable unit has a passage cross-section for the hauling means, the hauling means extending beyond the rear end of the machine frame does not require any conversions. The hauling means, thus, extends through the trailable unit, wherein, for the protection of the operating crew from rock falling from the hauling means, the configuration is preferably devised such that the trailable unit comprises protective shields on both sides of the hauling means.

As already mentioned, the coupling of the trailable unit to the heading machine is effected by hydraulic piston cylinder units, wherein a particularly preferred arrangement of the hydraulic piston cylinder units, according to a preferred further development, will result if the unit capable of being trailed behind the machine frame is hingedly connected to the machine frame by two hydraulic piston cylinder units symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal central plane, and that the machine frame and the trailable unit are connected with each other by a further hydraulic piston cylinder unit extending inclinedly toward the longitudinal central plane.

The two hydraulic piston cylinder units symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal central plane preferably are laterally hinged to the frame of the heading machine and serve to trail the trailable unit. In addition, an accordingly obliquely arranged further hydraulic piston cylinder unit is provided, which is configured as a control cylinder to enable the positioning of the trailable unit, and hence the anchor boring and setting device, in correspondence with the anchor pattern. A lateral displacement of the trailable unit within certain limits is feasible by the aid of the control cylinder.

In order to enable parallel cutting and anchoring operations, the heading machine is advantageously further developed such that a control device is provided, which is connected with a drive of the travelling mechanism and/or drives of the cutting tools as well as with a hydraulic control for the hydraulic piston cylinder units such that the hydraulic piston cylinder units are switched pressure-less or floating during the heading of the machine. The parallel cutting and anchoring operations in this case are performed in a manner that the trailable unit is braced within the road by the supporting device which is braceable between the roof and the floor, and anchors are set, while the heading machine is being advanced by the aid of the travelling mechanism and, in particular, crawler mechanism. In doing so, the hydraulic piston cylinder units by which the trailable unit is coupled to the heading machine are switched pressure-less or floating so as to be able to accomplish the length compensation between the heading machine and the trailable unit braced within the road, possibly without resistance, as a function of the forward movement of the heading machine.

In order to enable a timely stop of the advancement of the heading machine as soon as the hydraulic piston cylinder units have reached the maximum stroke, a further development is preferred, in which the hydraulic piston cylinder units comprise displacement-measuring means for detecting the respective stroke, and the signals of the displacement-measuring means are fed to the control device such that the drive of the travelling mechanism and/or the drives of the cutting tools are interrupted as soon as the displacement-measuring means have detected the maximum stroke.

After having stopped the heading machine, the supporting devices of the trailable unit, which are bracable against the roof and the floor, can be retracted so as to enable the trailable unit to be trailed by the hydraulic piston cylinder units coupled to the heading machine, and to be positioned accordingly by the additionally provided control cylinder.

In order to avoid a collision between the trailable unit and the hauling means extending beyond the rear frame end of the heading machine and usually having an end portion pivotable about a vertical axis, as the heading machine is being advanced with the trailable unit braced within the road, the configuration is preferably devised such that the hauling means comprises an end portion which is pivotable about a vertical axis and arranged behind the trailable unit at a distance enlarged by the maximum stroke of the hydraulic piston cylinder units. Due to the fact that the pivotable end portion of the hauling means is arranged behind the trailable unit at an accordingly enlarged distance, a collision during heading will be safely avoided.

According to a preferred further development, it is provided that the trailable unit rests on the floor by means of skids. Such skids will facilitate the trailing procedure. If, however, the heading machine is to be moved over larger distances, the skid conduct may involve problems such that, according to a preferred further development, it is provided that the hauling means is designed to be liftable and lowerable, and that the trailable unit rests on a frame of the hauling means. Such a configuration enables the trailable unit to be lifted in its entirety so as to ensure the free floating of the skids relative to the floor as required for the moving operation.

Due to the fact that, according to the invention, the anchor boring and setting devices are arranged in a trailable unit separate from the heading machine, sufficient space for the operating personnel will be provided at the anchor boring and setting device, wherein a preferred further development in this context is characterized in that the trailable unit comprises an operator's stand or a control platform, respectively.

In order to enhance the maneuverability of the heading machine plus trailed unit, a configuration in which the width of the trailable unit does not exceed the width of the heading machine will be advantageous.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail by way of an exemplary embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawing.

Therein, FIG. 1 is a side view of the heading machine according to the invention, including a trailable anchor boring and setting unit;

FIG. 2 is a top view on the heading machine according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view of the heading machine from behind in the sense of arrow III of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, a heading machine is denoted by 1 and comprises a travelling mechanism 2. The travelling mechanism in this case is configured as a crawler mechanism. On the cutting boom 3, which can be adjusted in the vertical direction in the sense of double arrow 4 by an appropriate adjusting apparatus, cutting bodies 5 are mounted, which are rotationally driven about an axis of rotation 6.

Behind the cutting body 5 are arranged a cutting roll 8 to be positioned on the roof 7, and a cutting roll 10 to be positioned on the floor 9. The cutting rolls 8 and 10 are fixed to a pivot arm 11 or 12, respectively, which is pivotable relative to the cutting boom 3 about an axis 13 or 14, respectively. Hydraulic cylinders 15 and 16, respectively, serve as pivot drives. Each of the two cutting rolls 8 and 10 is associated with a single drive 17 or 18, respectively.

FIG. 1 further depicts a hauling means 19, which extends in the longitudinal direction of the machine as far as to beyond the rear end of the machine and comprises a pivotable end portion 20.

Behind the heading machine, a trailable unit 21 is arranged, which is guided on skids 22. The trailable unit 21 comprises anchor boring and setting devices 23 as well as supporting devices 24, which are braceable between the roof 7 and the floor 9. Furthermore, a platform 25 for an operator 26 is provided. Protective shields 27 are arranged on both sides of the hauling means 19. Furthermore, a cover 28 is provided.

The trailable unit 21 is coupled to the frame of the heading machine 1 by the aid of hydraulic piston cylinder units 29.

As is apparent from the top view according to FIG. 2, two such hydraulic piston cylinder units 29 are arranged, i.e. one on the left-hand side and one on the right-hand side of the heading machine 1. Moreover, a further hydraulic piston cylinder unit 30 is indicated, which extends obliquely to the longitudinal central plane 31. The hydraulic piston cylinder unit 30 is designed as a control cylinder and serves to enhance the positioning of the trailable unit 21. From the illustration according to FIG. 2, it is apparent that anchor boring and setting devices are arranged on both sides of the hauling means 19. The same holds for the supporting devices 24, which are each formed by a hydraulic piston cylinder unit. It is, moreover, apparent that the hauling means 19 comprises an end portion 20 which is pivotable about a vertical axis 32, the pivoted position being indicated by broken lines and denoted by 20′. Moreover, the protective shields 27 arranged below the cover 28 are indicated in broken lines, and it is apparent that the protective shields 27 are arranged on both sides of the hauling means 19 extending through the trailable unit 21.

In FIG. 3, the passage cross-section 33 for the hauling means 19 is illustrated, the end portion 20 of the hauling means 19 being illustrated both in its non-pivoted position and in its pivoted position 20′. In the elevational view according to FIG. 3, the anchor boring and setting devices 23, two of which are each arranged on both sides of the hauling means 19, are illustrated in detail, the operating platform being again denoted by 25, with space for two operators 26 being available on an operator's stand 34. 

1. A heading machine including a machine frame equipped with a travelling mechanism, a cutting boom carrying cutting tools, and a hauling means extending in the longitudinal direction of the machine beyond the rear end of the machine frame, wherein the cutting tools are formed by at least two rotating cutting heads having axes of rotation extending in the heading direction or enclosing acute angles with the heading direction, characterized in that a unit (21) capable of being trailed behind the machine frame and having a passage cross-section (33) for the hauling means (19) is hingedly connected to the machine frame by the aid of hydraulic piston cylinder units (29,30), which unit comprises at least one anchor boring and setting device (23), and at least one supporting device (24) which is braceable against the roof (7) and the floor (9), each on both sides of the hauling means (19), and that a control device is provided, which is connected with a drive of the travelling mechanism (2) and/or drives of the cutting tools (5,8,10) as well as with a hydraulic control for the hydraulic piston cylinder units (29) such that the hydraulic piston cylinder units (29) are switched pressure-less or floating during the heading of the machine (1).
 2. A heading machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the unit (21) capable of being trailed behind the machine frame is hingedly connected to the machine frame by two hydraulic piston cylinder units (29) symmetrically arranged relative to the longitudinal central plane, and that the machine frame and the trailable unit (21) are connected with each other by a further hydraulic piston cylinder unit (30) extending inclinedly toward the longitudinal central plane.
 3. A heading machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the hydraulic piston cylinder units (29,30) comprise displacement-measuring means for detecting the respective stroke, and the signals of the displacement-measuring means are fed to the control device such that the drive of the travelling mechanism (2) and/or the drives of the cutting tools (5,8,10) are interrupted as soon as the displacement-measuring means have detected a maximum stroke.
 4. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the trailable unit (21) rests on the floor (7) by means of skids (22).
 5. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hauling means (19) comprises an end portion (20) which is pivotable about a vertical axis (32) and arranged behind the trailable unit (21) at a distance enlarged by the maximum stroke of the hydraulic piston cylinder units (29,30).
 6. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the trailable unit (21) comprises protective shields (27) on both sides of the hauling means (19).
 7. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the trailable unit (21) comprises an operator's stand (34) or a control platform (25), respectively.
 8. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the hauling means (19) is designed to be liftable and lowerable, and that the trailable unit (21) rests on a frame of the hauling means (19).
 9. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the width of the trailable unit (21) does not exceed the width of the heading machine (1).
 10. A heading machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the travelling mechanism (2) is comprised of a crawler mechanism. 